Badrinath portal closed for winter break; Rawal

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Badrinath portal closed for winter break. With this closure six month long Char Dham Yatra concluded today. First time in last 17 years the portals of this shrine were closed after sunset for the winter months. A day before snowfall had started in the temple township where it continued also on Sunday, covering the area in a thin blanket of white.

The Mahabhishek was conducted early on Sunday. Thereafter the Rawal (chief priest) of the Badrinath shrine, took the idol of goddess Lakshmi dressed in sari and kept Her in the sanctum sanctorum along side lord Badrinath. The portals of the shrine were later closed at 7:28 PM to the public for the winter season. As per Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) CEO BD Singh, around 8.80 lakh pilgrims visited to the Badrinath shrine in this year.

Today around 3,000 devotees were present at Badrinath at the time of its portals being closed to the public. The Doli (ceremonial procession) of lord Badrinath will depart from the temple township on Monday for the winter abode of the lord in Joshimath.